Flu Cases Continue to Rise

Georgia health officials are growing increasingly concerned as flu cases continue to climb across the state.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu activity in the state is currently classified as “very high.”

As of Dec. 27, 2025, there has been 1,580 metro area influenza hospitalizations and 29 flu-related deaths reported since the start of the flu season in early October, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.

DeKalb County officials report a 60% increase in flu‑related 911 calls over recent weeks.

“When the flu hits, it hits hard, and this year is really hitting very fast,” said Dr. Helena Bentley, a pediatrician and owner of Kid Care Pediatrics. “This year has been particularly heavy from what we normally see.”

  Social Circle Opposing Immigration Center

Officials in the city of Social Circle are opposing a reported draft plan by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to convert a local warehouse into an immigrant detention center.

Social Circle’s opposition was made in response to reports that ICE internal documents suggested the city could be a site for a facility. However, the city states it has not been contacted by ICE or the federal government regarding the plan.

City officials stated that the facility would be “infeasible” due to its location and the lack of proper infrastructure.

“This proposal could result in an effective tripling of the City’s population that is hovering right around 5,000 citizens. In addition to the lack of water and sewer capacity, there is not a site within the City that will provide a safe distance from homes, businesses, and schools. The City will not tolerate a failure in security,” the city said.

Delta Recognized Again For On-Time Arrivals

Atlanta‑based Delta Air Lines was ranked the most on‑time North American airline for 2025 by aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Last year, 80.9 % of Delta’s roughly 1.8 million flights arrived within 15 minutes of schedule.

This marks the fifth consecutive year Delta has received this honor.

In 2024, over 83% of the airline’s flights arrived on time.

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➤ Atlanta: Georgia 400 will feature paid Express Lanes more than a decade after tolls were removed, with construction set to begin later this year and wrap up by 2031. (More)

➤ Decatur: The city was named the most bikeable city in the state by Redfin due to its abundance of biking events, accessibility, and safety infrastructure. (See Details)

➤ Stockbridge: 22‑year‑old Jayden Williams was sworn in as the city’s youngest mayor ever on Friday. (More)

➤ Cumming: A fire early Friday morning destroyed Mercy Fellowship Church on Dogwood Street. No injuries were reported, and an investigation into the cause is underway. (More)

➤ Eastman: The city approved plans for a new 64-acre residential subdivision with more than 100 homes near North Dodge Elementary School. (See Details)

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➤ The Atlanta Hawks stifled the New York Knicks’ typically high-scoring offense on Friday night in a 111-99 victory. (More)

➤ Two members of the Georgia football coaching staff have announced they are leaving for new opportunities following the team’s heartbreaking loss to Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl on Thursday. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Falcons are eliminated from playoff contention, but a win over the New Orleans Saints today would cause a three-way tie for first place in the NFC South, sending the Carolina Panthers to the playoffs instead of the current first place Tampa Bay Buccaneers. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: NFL | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer

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➤ A donkey in Crawford County has officially set a Guinness World Record for the longest ears on a living donkey, measuring nearly 16 inches. (More)

➤ A large crowd of people rang in the New Year by running into the Atlantic Ocean during Tybee Island’s 26th annual Polar Plunge. (More)

➤ A viral TikTok video shows a 5-year-old proudly showing off his Jimmy Carter-themed pajamas, blanket, and pillow that he was gifted for Christmas. (More)

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Yesterday’s Results:

Did you ever subscribe to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper?

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